Introduction
Physical Therapy in Hazle Township for Lower Back
Welcome to FYZICAL Hazleton's patient resource about Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion.
Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) is a procedure used to treat problems such as disc degeneration, spine instability, and deformities in the curve of the spine. In this procedure, the surgeon works on the spine from the front (anterior) and removes a spinal disc in the lower (lumbar) spine. The surgeon inserts a bone graft into the space between the two vertebrae where the disc was removed (the interbody space). The goal of the procedure is to stimulate the vertebrae to grow together into one solid bone (known as fusion). Fusion creates a rigid and immovable column of bone in the problem section of the spine. This type of procedure is used to try and reduce back pain and other symptoms.
This guide will help you understand:
- what surgeons hope to achieve
- what happens during surgery
- what to expect as you recover